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Ashley Gielazyn

I attend ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ Gulf Coast University, and I am majoring in biology with a concentration in organismal biology and ecology and a minor in statistics. I enjoy being outdoors, listening to and playing music, and crafting such as crocheting and drawing. I have known that I wanted to do scientific research since well before I started college and I want to continue pursuing research opportunities both in and outside of school while completing my bachelor's degree. After I finish my bachelor’s degree, I plan on attending graduate school in the fall of 2027 to take my research experience to the next level. From there, I am interested in finding a career where I can continue to immerse myself in the world of scientific research. I want to lead research projects and teach others what I know. I want to spend a lot of time in the field doing hands-on work and getting to know the environment that I am studying. I see myself in a career where I am always learning, challenging myself both physically and mentally, and most importantly, where I am contributing to scientific knowledge.

I chose to attend the ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ Making Waves REU because I am super excited about the opportunity to get more research and fieldwork experience. ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ is well known for its marine science research and the many opportunities they offer for students to get involved. ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ focuses on preparing students for their careers and I’m excited to work in such a positive and productive environment with ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ scientists. Another reason I chose to attend this REU is because ÊÖ»ú¿´Æ¬ has three research vessels and I am excited about the possibility of doing fieldwork at sea and I hope to have the opportunity to go on a research cruise. In addition to these reasons, I am looking forward to being able to apply knowledge and skills that I have gained in my classes to a real-world scientific research project that aligns with my interests. I know that participating in the Making Waves REU will help me achieve my goals by preparing me with the skills I will need to succeed in graduate school and my future career.